An adolescent client reports to the nurse of walking with a limp due to pain localized in the right knee which worsens at night but denies any recent injury or trauma. The nurse observes swelling and tenderness in the right lower thigh, and imaging results reveal radial ossification in the soft tissues.
Which condition should the nurse consider as the probable cause of the findings?
Osteosarcoma
Growing pains
Rhabdomyolysis
Hemosiderosis
The Correct Answer is A
The adolescent client's symptoms of localized pain, swelling, and tenderness, particularly at night, are suggestive of a malignancy such as osteosarcoma, which is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents.
Radial ossification in the soft tissues is a characteristic finding in osteosarcoma and is indicative of bone production by malignant cells. Other imaging modalities, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may also reveal osteolytic or osteoblastic lesions in the bone.
Growing pains are a common, benign condition that occur in children and do not typically present with the
symptoms described in the case scenario.
Rhabdomyolysis is a medical emergency that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue and release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. It can present with muscle pain, swelling, and tenderness, but typically occurs as a result of injury, infection, or drug toxicity.
Hemosiderosis is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of iron in various tissues, including the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It may present with symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal pain, but is not typically associated with the symptoms and imaging findings described in the case scenario.
Therefore, the nurse should consider osteosarcoma as the probable cause of the adolescent client's symptoms and imaging findings, and should collaborate with the healthcare team to develop a plan of care for diagnosis and treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Administer the injection into the middle of the lateral aspect of the thigh is the correct choice. This is the recommended site for intramuscular injection in toddlers who have been walking for at least one month, as it is a large muscle with minimal nerves and blood vessels. Choices A, B, and D are not appropriate techniques for administering an intramuscular injection to a toddler with pneumonia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
When advising a new mother on caring for a child with croup, the telephone triage nurse should prioritize concern for difficulty swallowing secretions. This symptom can indicate that the child's airway is becoming obstructed and requires immediate medical attention. A fever of 101.0°F (38.3°C) is a common symptom of croup and can be managed at home with antipyretics. Crying often when nursing is not a specific symptom of croup and may have other causes. A barking cough, worse at night, is a characteristic symptom of croup and can be managed at home with humidified air and hydration.
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